Photograph of Vernon St.John and guests, 15th March 1917

Vernon Henry St.John (wearing glasses) pictured on the steps of Lydiard House with a number of well dressed guests. The occasion marked Vernon's twenty first birthday, his coming of age, on March 15th 1917. Chairs have been set out for a small ceremony.

The event was relatively low key, befitting the times. Vernon had received his call-up papers on the eve of his birthday and was shortly to enlist in the 6th Dorsetshire Regiment.

The young viscount should have assumed the title of Lord Bolingbroke on his coming of age but due to controversies surrounding his father, the 5th Viscount Bolingbroke, it took some years before his title was officially acknowledged.